2nd year students (or those with some prior experience) may enter the Beethoven Strings program.

If your Northern Kentucky school is interested in having these before-school or after-school classes, contact Susan Sullivan at susan.sullivan@nkyschoolofmusic.org or call (859) 341-8555. We will come and present a demo during the school day. This is followed by an informational parent meeting the next week which includes class registration and instrument rental.

Practice Videos:

Mozart Strings: Fall 2018 Parent Meetings

The parent meetings (approx 45 minutes) will include class registration and instrument rental/sizing (students need to attend this meeting to be sized for their instrument of choice). If you cannot attend your schools parent meeting, you may attend another site to register for your school.

Requirements: The completion of Mozart Strings and Beethoven Strings, or 1-3 years of private lessons, or the equivalent. No audition required. Student must be able to read music.

The Bartel String Ensemble meets weekly for 2 semesters. Classes are taught at the Immanuel Boone Campus and the Immanuel Lakeside Campus. Each class is 90 minutes long. Students will receive a minimum of 3 private lessons during class time each semester.

Northern Kentucky Children's Ensemble

Northern Kentucky Children’s Ensemble

A great way to spend Wednesday afternoons! Meet new people, learn new songs, and travel to new places. Plus, sing a diverse collection of music from multiple countries in various languages. Styles also include Pop, Broadway, Jazz, Classical, and Folk. This choir has a rich tradition in choral music and performs in the community as well as across the state and nation.

Join Our Chorus

Voices of the Commonwealth

A fresh new approach for busy adults in the 21st century. Fit the joy of singing into your hectic schedule! This choir meets weekly for a 10-week period and then performs a concert with orchestra and professional soloists. The programming is diverse, fun, challenging, and educational.

There are no auditions required to sing with Voices of the Commonwealth, BUT music-reading skills are required, and choral experience is highly recommended. In addition, each member must be committed to excellence and be willing to work hard, not only in rehearsals, but on your own time, to make our performances the best they can be!

About Us

Voices of the Commonwealth

Established in 2011, Voices of the Commonwealth is an ensemble of the Immanuel School of Music. We exist to present inspiring and innovative programs that engage and enrich our audiences.

We strive to:

• Serve the citizens of Northern Kentucky through the pursuit of artistic excellence in choral music

• Enrich the community with concert programs that educate, inspire, and foster an appreciation for the choral art form

• Provide a quality choral experience for singers throughout the region

• Make choral music accessible to all segments of the population

Voices of the Commonwealth is made up of 75 adult singers from the Greater Cincinnati tri-state area. Committed to community involvement, we have collaborated with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, the Northern Kentucky Children's Ensemble, the Northern Kentucky Youth Sinfonia, area high school choirs, veterans groups, and churches.

Voices of the Commonwealth has traveled to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Carnegie Hall in New York City, Ely Cathedral in Ely, England, and to Beaufort, South Carolina.

VOCE

VOCE (Voices of the Commonwealth Ensemble) is the 16-voice chamber choir of Voices of the Commonwealth. Members are chosen by audition each August. VOCE performs on all Voices of the Commonwealth concerts and at special events. VOCE presents music suited for small vocal ensembles.

Classes and Times:

Family Music for Toddlers (18 mo. - 3 yrs.)Fridays 10:30 - 11:20 am

Cycle of Seasons (3 yrs. - 4 1/2 yrs.)Mondays 6:00 - 6:50 pm

Why Musikgarten?

Children are naturally drawn to music. They love to listen to it and move with it. Our program not only draws on a child's natural love of music, but also uses music to develop many skills that are appropriate for young children.

In our baby classes, we focus on creating bonding moments between the child and caregiver. Many of our activities include bouncing, which helps to develop the child's balance and sense of a steady beat. We focus on exposing the babies to each part of our curriculum. This focus allows them to start internalizing the things we sing and play so they are even more prepared for future music education in our toddler classes.

Our toddler classes focus on developing a child's impulse control and social abilities. We also work on learning to repeat sung and spoken patterns, while continuing to incorporate an internalization of a steady beat. Language development is also a large part of our curriculum. We use listening, pictures, and music to help the children learn words and their proper associations.

With our preschoolers, we continue to develop the same skills within the child. At this age, there is in an obvious improvement and understanding. We will see much more independence in the child from the caregiver, and they will begin to be more social with each other as well as the other adults in the classroom. This is also the age where their creativity and imagination explodes. Our curriculum works to help develop the already booming creativity of the preschooler and uses it to enhance their learning in other areas.

Suzuki Program

Northern Kentucky Suzuki Program at ISM

What is the Suzuki Method?

The Suzuki Method is inspired by the ease and manner with which children learn their native language or "mother tongue". Developed more than 50 years ago by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki, the Suzuki Method is now taught worldwide on many instruments, including violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, guitar, and harp. Recently, Suzuki voice and trumpet were introduced.

Dr. Suzuki’s approach adapted some basic principles of language acquisition. Scroll down to read more about Dr. Suzuki's approach.

About the Northern Kentucky Suzuki Program at NKYSM

Our program offers Suzuki violin, viola, and cello.

For beginner students, private lessons are 30 minutes each. Beginner parents are also taught violin/viola and share the lesson with their child. We encourage prospective families to contact us about scheduling lesson observations.

Our Suzuki teachers are professional musicians with a minimum of an undergraduate degree in music performance. They have also taken Suzuki Teacher Training courses through the Suzuki Association of the Americas and have extensive Suzuki experience.

Parental involvement in a nurturing environment.The parent learns to play the instrument before their beginner child does. This allows them to better understand what the child is learning. During daily practice, the parent becomes the "home teacher" and provides demonstration for and assistance to their child. They are expected to participate in all lessons and classes alongside the student.

A healthy learning environment is emphasized, and is created by the parent and the private teacher in partnership. This environment includes structured practice, sincere encouragement, acknowledgement of the child’s efforts, appropriate praise, and patience, with minimal distractions.

An early start.While it is never too late to start learning an instrument, the most important developmental years are the early years. Listening to classical music can begin at birth. Lessons can begin as early as age 3 or 4; many students begin during their preschool or kindergarten years.

Listening and repetition.Children listen to words over and over again as they learn to speak. Likewise, Suzuki students listen repeatedly to recordings of professional musicians performing the Suzuki repertoire.

Small, progressive steps in a non-competitive setting.Each student learns at his/her own rate, building on small steps so that each one can be mastered well. Previous repertoire is continually refined and polished, and is frequently used as a platform for learning new, more complex techniques. By the time a Suzuki student reaches Violin Book 4 (there are 10 books), he/she will know over an hour’s worth of music by memory.

Other important aspects of the Suzuki Method include the use of a well-designed curriculum and peer learning. Note reading is not taught until basic playing techniques have been mastered, making the Suzuki Method an ideal way for young children to learn the violin.

World Music Workshop

World Music Workshop 2019

January 18 - 20, 2019Ages 13 and UpTuition: $80

We are excited to announce a new opportunity for our students to experience and learn about music! In January, we will be offering a World Music Workshop. During this workshop, students ages 13 and up will have the opportunity to experience African Music and Culture through dance and drumming. We have three new guest artist joining us to lead the event, and we know it will be a fun and exciting adventure for everyone!

Below is a brief history of the program:

In 1999, Charles Ferrara, the former band director at Walnut Hills High School, visited Ghana to study West African drumming and dancing techniques. While there, he met our guest artisits Dan Meunier and Ashleigh D’Aunoy. The three decided to bring African drumming and dance to our community’s youth. They have been training and performing with Cincinnati area high school groups for the past 8 years. The World Music Workshop is for any interested student ages 13 and up. Students will learn about African culture, drumming, and dances. All students will have the opportunity to drum and dance.

Southbank Quartet

Southbank Quartet

The Southbank Quartet is the Quartet in Residence of theImmanuel School of Music (ISM). The group was formed in 2012 and is referred to as "Musicians at work!" All members are dedicated to the community’s needs, with a targeted focus on youth outreach and enrichment.

The Quartet members teach private lessons to over 90 string students at ISM. The members also teach and direct the Mozart (1st year) and Beethoven (2nd year) Strings Programs, which offer an introduction to stringed instruments and repertoire. These classes are offered as after-school classes for 3rd - 5th graders in 14 local Kentucky elementary schools. The Southbank Quartet continues to reach other students through workshops with the Youth Orchestra and Youth Sinfonia at ISM, and with Connor and Highlands Middle and High School String Programs. When the group is not making their mark on the community’s youth through education, they are busy performing for students and families and sharing the beautiful gift of music!

June 3 - August 9, 2019. Chamber Players: Experience an additional dimension to music through small ensembles, with each student playing their individual part. The students become soloists within their small group, refining and developing skills of leadership, musicality, and confidence. Intermediate and Advanced-level auditions.

Wednesdays, June 5 - July 24, 2019. Summer Strings Club is for students who have completed Mozart Strings, Beethoven Strings, Concert Strings, or 1-3 years of private lessons. No audition required. Approximately 3rd -6th grade. Fun weekly activities: Orchestra, sectionals, special workshops, and spirit wear contest.

Wednesdays, June 5 - July 24, 2019. Masterworks for Strings is for students in YSO, Youth Sinfonia, or 3+ years of private lessons. No audition required. Approximately 7th-12th grade. Weekly activities: Orchestra, sectionals, and special workshops.

June 24-28, 2019. Theaterworks is a fun, safe backdrop where students, ages 6-14, can come together to learn "Fun with Acting", "Musical Theater", or “Puppets Alive” in an artistic playground. Our professional teaching staff is the finest in the city and always looks forward to working with students of this age. Educational? Yes!!! And plenty of Summer Camp fun!!!

June 6 - August 1, 2019. Our Music Theory Classes are designed to increase your knowledge of music theory, music history, and much more. It will be an exciting time of group learning for everyone! We offer two different level classes for students and even a beginner theory for adults! Discover new concepts, learn about new composers, and experience things about music you may have never known before!!

June 3 - August 2, 2019. Musikgarten classes are a fun and exciting way to experience music with your child. Explore instruments, learn new songs, and enhance your child’s development through steady beat, creativity, fine and gross motor skills, and much more! We offer classes for both Toddlers and Preschool age children.

July 8-12, 2019. Guitar + Ukulele Camp is for ages 7 & up with a minimum of 6 months experience. This camp will explore technique, small ensembles, special topics, and Intro to Improvisation including Classical, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Country, and Bluegrass.

Chamber Players

Chamber Players 2019

June 3 - August 9

Experience an additional dimension to music through small ensembles, with each student playing their own individual part. The students become soloists within their small group, refining and developing skills of leadership, musicality, and confidence.

Coachings: Five (5) 120-min coachings, and additional 120-min practice sessions. Each group is scheduled individually.Example coaching times are Mon, Tues, Wed, or Thurs from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Theatreworks

Theaterworks: Musical Theater & Fun With Acting

Lisa Bodollo, director

For ages 6 to 14. No previous experience required!

Summer 2019: June 24th - June 28th

Location: Immanuel UMC, 2551 Dixie Highway, Lakeside Park, KY 41017

Theaterworks is a fun, safe backdrop where students can come together to learn "Fun With Acting" or "Musical Theater" in an artistic playground. Our professional teaching staff is the finest in the city and always looks forward to working with students of this age. Educational: Yes!!! And plenty of Summer Camp fun!!!

Choose the category that most interests your child. Each category is divided into youngest, middle, and oldest groups.

Class Descriptions

Little Maestros: A beginning music theory class. Explore rhythm, note reading, music history, and much more through group activities, games and other fun-filled experiences! Tailored for ages 7 to 11 years old.

Intermediate Theory: Take what you have already learned from your Private Lesson study a step further with this intermediate level theory class. Activities include Music Theory, Aural Recognition, Music History, and more! It will be a fun time of group learning and collaboration as well further your musical knowledge. Open for Ages 12 to 18.

Beginning Theory for Adults: Geared towards adults who have never studied music. Learn invaluable skills that can carry over to all of your music making experiences, whether that be participating in a choir or listening to music in your home. Open to everyone 18 and older.

Summer Musikgarten

Summer Musikgarten

June 3 - August 2, 2019

Musikgarten classes are a fun and exciting way to experience music with your child. Explore instruments, learn new songs, and enhance your child’s development through steady beat, creativity, fine and gross motor skills, and much more!

Concerto Competition

Julia Bartles Concerto Competition 2018

The Julia Bartles Concerto Competition is presented by the Northern Kentucky School of Music of Immanuel. This concerto competition is a biannual event for instrumental students ages 5 – 18 in the Tri-State area.

Each instrumental division has a required concerto movement. The first-place winner of each division will perform with the Youth Sinfonia and professional friends at the Final Concert and Awards Ceremony. The second- and third-place winners of each division will be presented an award at the Awards Ceremony.

Lessons cancelled by the student with at least 24-hours notice will be rescheduled.

Lessons cancelled by the teacher will be rescheduled.

Emergencies will be taken into consideration case-by-case with the instructor.

Safe Sanctuaries policy

The Immanuel School of Music is committed to providing a "safe sanctuary" for children and persons of all ages to experience music education. We have established policies that protect this environment. We commit to compliance on our part and expect it from those who entrust their children to us.

All students under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult (other than the instructor) over the age of 18, who will remain in the immediate vicinity with a visual contact of the student and instructor during the private lesson.

All classes and lessons will be taught in rooms with windows, or the doors will remain open during lessons.

All ISM instructors will have yearly background checks and will comply with the guidelines for "Screening and Hiring of Paid Staff" as specified in our policy.

If you would like to have a full copy of our policy, please contact Kristin Whiteker, Operations Manager: kristin@immanuelumc.org

Snow policy

If serious weather conditions occur, a decision to close will be published by email, website, and/or phone messages by 2:00 pm.

Variables to be considered:

Whether sidewalks and parking lots can be cleared of snow/ice before traffic flow arrives.

Whether an authorized staff member is available to secure the building at closing.